vicadin addiction

[concernedwife9769]

I am a wife who has been battling this addiction at least for the last 2 years off an on.  I was unaware that my husband had been taking so many.  I now understand he is taking 12-20 750mg/day for last several years.  He was also recently diagnosed with bi-polar on top of this.  Needless to say, we have many issues & they seem to intermingle with one another.  I have come close to losing my husband twice this year to bad decisions that seem to stem from his addiction to vicadin.  He has been getting them from a female who has a romantic interest in my husband and he actually left me and his daughter twice this year for this person and her ability to get him his pills.  She is a pharmacy tech at a local Walmart and I believe is filling prescriptions that are either forged or he is getting from non family doctors.  He has weaned himself down to about 5/day now w/o any help from anyone, but I fear that his addiction is so strong he will be unable to stop completely and will eventually turn to them again and this would in turn destroy our marriage for good.  I am seeking help/advice from anyone willing to listen.  I love my husband but I fear I am not enough to help him.  We have no insurance (I just lost my job).  Any suggestions?

[concernedwife9769]

thanks for your support and suggestions

[dominosarah]

I agree with wannabefree.  Make sure you get some help for you and your daughter.  Let us know how it is going.  You will find much support here.     sara

[wannabefree330]

I am sorry you are tangled up in this disaster! When we are full blown addicts, we will go to any length to use.....and that includes hurting the ones who love us.

There is nothing you can do to change your husband or his decisions.  BUT....you can change what you will tolerate and how you react to what his decisions do to you and your daughter.  The best way to help him AND you, is to find an ALANON meeting and get there!  Alanon is for people who's lives have been affected by someone they love and their addiction/alcoholism.  You can learn valuable coping skills, and they'll help you realize this is not about you!  It affects you, but isn't your fault, you didn't cause it, you can't cure it.

If you feel the Walmart tech is doing sketchy business, file an anonymous complaint with the investigational division at your state's licensing board.  Many can be found online.  Try Department of Professional Licensing.  Can file against her, or the pharmacy, or both.  They will launch a full investigation w/o your name coming up.  You can also call the head pharmacist at the walmart and tell them of your concerns.

I hope your husband seeks help.  He will need medical assistance getting clean especially with his bipolar disorder to boot.  You, stay strong, focus on you and your daughter and don't put up with addictive behaviors that will continue destroying your marriage.  Draw a line, and have consequences if he crosses it.